SCORE: Tennessee 4, VCU 5 | FINAL (Vols eliminated)

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No. 23 Tennessee baseball (38-21, 15-15 SEC) is set to battle the VCU Rams (37-23, 20-10 A10) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in game three of the Chapel Hill Regional. The game serves as each team’s second game in the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee is the two-seed in the regional. VCU is the four-seed.

First pitch at Boshamer Stadium is at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Both teams are facing elimination. Tennessee dropped its NCAA Tournament opener against East Carolina 7-3 in 14 innings while VCU lost 8-0 to North Carolina Friday evening.

UNC jumped out to an early 4-0 lead that it held the majority of the game as VCU used two of its best pitchers in Patrick Steitz and Dawson Newman. The Tar Heels then put up a four-spot in the eighth to effectively put the game away.

Henry Ford hit a game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth to force extras, where Tennessee and VCU traded a run in the 13th. But ECU found lots of success against Will Haas and Cam Appenzeller in the 14th, tallying four runs to finish Tennessee.

RECAP: Tennessee Baseball Drops Extra-Innings Thriller Against ECU In NCAA Tournament

The Vols used five pitchers in the game but only one is burnt until Monday. Bo Rhudy, Cam Appenzeller and Brandon Arvidson could pitch Saturday as head coach Josh Elander is employing an ‘all hands on deck’ pitching approach for the remainder of the regional.

ALL HANDS ON DECK: Tennessee Using ‘All Hands on Deck’ Pitching Approach For Remainder of Chapel Hill Regional

BULLPEN TRUST RANKINGS: Tennessee Baseball 2026 Bullpen Power Rankings: Which Relievers Are Most Trustworthy?

Still, Tennessee faces a significant challenge to advance to a sixth straight Super Regional. The Vols must win four games in a row. Bullpen depth has plagued Tennessee down the stretch of the season, and the Vols are going to need at least a few arms to step up if they’re going to advance.

Ace Tegan Kuhns is starting Saturday in the elimination game. Tennessee will hope to avoid using its top bullpen arms against the inferior VCU, but obviously if Tennessee has trouble with the Rams, expect to see the best possible options on the mound.

UPHILL BATTLE: Tennessee Baseball Facing Major Uphill Climb Following ECU Loss

The story of Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament opening loss was the offensive struggles. The unit has been much better since the Mississippi State series opener in early April, but it fell flat against ECU arms Ryan Towers and Ethan Norby.

The Vols had three hits entering the ninth inning and had more success in extras, but UT went 1-10 with runners in scoring position as many opportunities to win the game in extra innings were wasted.

OFFENSE STRUGGLES: Tennessee Baseball’s Offense Falls Flat At Wrong Time In Loss Against ECU

Tennessee entered the NCAA Tournament coming off a 1-1 stretch in Hoover at the SEC Tournament. The Vols handled South Carolina in the first round before falling to Arkansas, 8-4, in round two.

Tennessee finished the regular season playing its best baseball of the season, particularly offensively.

Garrett Wright, Blake Grimmer, Reese Chapman, Henry Ford Levi Clark and Trent Grindlinger became a strong group to lead while Manny Marin and Blaine Brown showed capabilities to have big days at the plate.

TOUGH PATH: Trust The Numbers? Analytics Say That Tennessee Baseball Has The Toughest Chalk Path to the NCAA Championship

But after the loss to ECU, Elander benched Blaine Brown as Jay Abernathy gets an outfield start with Wright in left. Stone Lawless is catching.

Brown has played in and started in all 59 games this season. He is the lone Vol to do so, but that streak comes to an end with the season on the line.

MACK UPDATE: What Is Landon Mack’s Status Entering Regional? Josh Elander Provides Injury Update

One of the most important storylines for Tennessee’s pitching staff is the health of starter Landon Mack. Mack hasn’t pitched since the Kentucky series as he deals with right arm soreness. He is day-to-day, and it remains to be seen if he will be ready to go in the Chapel Hill Regional.

Without Mack, it will be difficult for Tennessee to win four games in a row.

RETURN: Tennessee Baseball Returns To Chapel Hill Seven Years After Resurgent 2019 Season

Opponent Scout

• 37-23 (20-10 A10) record
• Finished second in the A10 regular season and won A10 Tournament Championship
• No. 82 RPI
• Went 1-1 against Illinois, went 1-1 against Coastal Carolina, lost lone game against North Carolina, was swept in series against Virginia but won a midweek game against the Cavaliers, split two games against Virginia Tech

Strengths 

Prediction:

Tennessee wins comfortably.

Tegan Kuhns on the mound. Offense should bounce back. Recipe for a win.

The hope for Tennessee is that the offense can mount a sizable lead, allowing Tennessee to use lower-tier bullpen arms, resulting in longer rest for Bo Rhudy, Cam Appenzeller and Brandon Arvidson.

POLLS:

• D1 Baseball: No. 23 (NR)
• USA Today Coaches Poll: No. 25 (NR)
• Baseball America: No. 20 (up four)
• Perfect Game: No. 25 (NR)
• NCBWA: No. 24 (NR)

For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far this season, click here.

For the latest RTI Diamond Pass podcast discussing Tennessee’s run in Hoover and previewing the Chapel Hill regional, click HERE.

WATCH: INSTANT REACTION to Tennessee’s Loss to ECU

Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.

TENNESSEE STARTING NINE: 

VCU STARTING NINE: 

SS Dante DeFranco (R)

CF Michael Petite (R)

DH Teige Lethert (L)

C Jacob Lee (R)

LF Nick Flores (R)

3B Nate Kirkpatrick (R)

1B Quinn Maher (L)

2B Alec Warden (R)

RF Trent Adelman (R)

Pitching Matchup:

Vols So. RHP Tegan Kuhns (5-4, 3.39 ERA, 14 app., 13 starts, 1 CG, 77.0 IP, 76 H, 32 R, 29 ER, 15 BB, 100 K, 26 XBH, .253 opp. batting avg., 1.18 WHIP)

vs.

Rams R-Sr. RHP Elias Holbert (3-1, 2.70 ERA, 17 app., 8 starts, 60.0 IP, 44 H, 23 R, 18 ER, 37 BB, 65 K, 10 XBH, .206 opp. batting avg., 1.35 WHIP)

Pitching Notes:

• Kuhns gutted through a five-inning start his last time out at Oklahoma. It was on the heels of a career outings vs. Texas (15 K). Kuhns allowed 12 hits against Oklahoma but did a great job working with traffic on the basepaths. He is Tennessee’s best pitcher and gives UT the best chance to win today.
  • This is Kuhns’ NCAA Tournament debut.
• Holbert has had a solid year and is among the best arms in VCU’s staff. Some great relief appearances early in the season and some gems as a starter.
  • But can also get touched up and has struggled with command at times. Usually good for multiple walks every time he pitches.
  • Definitely an easier matchup for Tennessee’s hitters than Friday against ECU’s Ryan Towers.
  • VCU burned Patrick Steitz and Dawson Newman Friday, two of VCU’s better arms. Neither should be available Saturday.

Uniforms

Tennessee: Smokey Greys

VCU: All whites with black accents

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*NOTES*

• Tennessee is the AWAY team because it has been the home team more than VCU so far in the regional. More on why HERE.
• There is NO run-rule in the NCAA Tournament

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GAME THREAD

1st Inning: 

T1

-Garrett Wright HBP.

• 18th HBP this season

-Blake Grimmer flies out to RF.

-Henry Ford strikes out swinging.

-Trent Grindlinger singles to right field. Wright to third.

-Levi Clark pops up to 2B.

END OF TOP HALF

B1

-Dante DeFranco strikes out swinging.

-Michael Petite is walked.

-Teige Lethert grounds out to 3B. Petite to second.

-Jacob Lee reaches on a fielding error by SS.

• Manny dropped a liner to SS. Not hit hard. Ball was low to the ground but Manny should’ve made the catch.

-Nick Flores strikes out swinging on three pitches.

• Sword on strike three

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Rams 0

2nd Inning: 

T2

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Stone Lawless grounds out to SS.

-Manny Marin sends a single to left field.

-Jay Abernathy rips a single through the left side.

• Marin and Jay’s hits came with two strikes.

-Garrett Wright HBP.

• 19th on the season. 2nd of the game.
• Bases loaded with two outs for Blake Grimmer

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.

• Strands em loaded.

END OF TOP HALF

B2

-Nate Kirkpatrick strikes out swinging.

-Quinn Maher strikes out looking.

-Alec Warden strikes out swinging on three pitches.

• A DOMINANT 1-2-3 inning as Kuhns strikes out the side in order on 12 pitches.
• 5 Ks through two for Kuhns. At 30 pitches.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 0, Rams 0

3rd Inning: 

T3

-Henry Ford strikes out looking.

-Trent Grindlinger singles to 2B.

• Alec Warden tried to make the jumping grab but the ball bounced out of his glove.
• A single because it would’ve been a great defensive play. Not routine.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Reese Chapman smacks a two-run homer to left field.

• 11th HR of the season
• 362 feet, 96 mph

-Stone Lawless flies out to LF.

END OF TOP HALF

B3

-Trent Adelman ropes a solo homer to left field.

• First pitch of the inning. No doubter.

-Dante DeFranco strikes out swinging on three pitches.

-Michael Petite flares a single to shallow center.

-Teige Lethert grounds out to P. Petite to second.

-Jacob Lee drives a single to left field. Petite thrown out at home, 7-2.

• Questionable send. Still a close call but Wright’s throw definitely beat him. Ruled that Stone applied the tag before Petite touched home plate on the slide. No review.
• A GREAT defensive play to preserve the lead. Wright has a good arm and it was on display there with a dart to home plate.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Rams 1

4th Inning: 

T4

-Manny Marin grounds out to 3B.

-Jay Abernathy flies out to CF at the warning track in right-center.

-Garrett Wright dribbles a single through the right side.

-Blake Grimmer lines out to CF.

• Good hard contact but right to center fielder.

END OF TOP HALF

B4

-Nick Flores doubles off the left-field wall.

Manny takes a second to talk to Tegan.

-Nate Kirkpatrick HBP. Flores to second.

• 3-1 pitch

Josh Reynolds calls a mound meeting.

• Trainer Jeff Wood “Woody” now checking on Kuhns.
• Kuhns is STAYING in the game after an extended meeting with Woody, Elander and the infield.
• Kuhns may be experiencing some dehydration on the mound. Kept asking for water.

Kirkpatrick, Flores advance to second and third on a balk.

 -Quinn Maher sends an RBI groundout to SS. Kirkpatrick to third, Flores scores.

• Balk led to the run. Would’ve been an easy 6-4-3 double play with runners on first and second.

-Alec Warden sends a sac fly to RF.

• Thought Warden went around on a 1-2 pitch but was ruled that he didn’t. Would’ve been a big strikeout.

-Trent Adelman grounds out to SS.

• Tough inning for Kuhns with the dehydration and two runs allowed.
• Kuhns at 70 pitches through four.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Rams 3

5th Inning: 

T5

-Henry Ford strikes out looking.

• 9-pitch at-bat.
• A questionable 1-1 call that was ruled a strike. And – while less – a questionable strike three call. Ford and the dugout aren’t happy.
• Ross Kivett has also been giving it to the first-base ump. Likely regarding the call in B4.

Tennessee issued a warning.

-Trent Grindlinger strikes out swinging.

• First time he’s been retired today.

-Levi Clark strikes out swinging.

• Some wild swings at balls nowhere near the zone.
• Tennessee goes down in order on strikeouts. Rough, rough frame for the heart of the order.

END OF TOP HALF

B5

*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brady Frederick (4-1, 4.06 ERA) in to pitch for Kuhns*

–Tegan Kuhns FINAL LINE: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 BK, 1 HBP, 2 XBH, 46 strikes on 70 pitches–

• Kuhns has been sick all week. Short outing for the Vols’ ace as a result.
• Likely Tegan’s last outing as a Vol.

-Dante DeFranco singles down the left-field line.

-Michael Petite is walked.

• 5-pitch plate appearances.

-Teige Lethert pops up to P, bunt.

• Awful sac bunt attempt. Good jumping catch by Frederick along the foul line.

Runners advance on a wild pitch.

-Jacob Lee strikes out swinging.

-Nick Flores is walked on four pitches.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Nate Kirkpatrick.

-Nate Kirkpatrick ropes a two-run double to left field. DeFranco and Petite score. Flores to third.

*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Mark Hindy (2-0, 7.59 ERA) in to pitch for Frederick*

-Quinn Maher is walked on four pitches.

• Bases loaded with two outs for Alec Warden.

Flores caught stealing home, 1-2.

• Don’t understand that one. Hindy struggling to throw strikes and Flores tries to catch ’em sleeping. Doesn’t work.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 2, Rams 5

6th Inning: 

T6

-Reese Chapman strikes out swinging.

-Stone Lawless destroys a solo homer to left field.

• 7th HR of the season. Mammoth shot.
• 409 feet, 110 mph

-Manny Marin lines out to 1B.

-Jay Abernathy strikes out looking.

END OF TOP HALF

B6

-Alec Warden singles to left field.

-Trent Adleman grounds out to P, sac bunt. Warden to second.

*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Cam Appenzeller (6-1, 5.00 ERA) in to pitch for Hindy*

-Dante DeFranco strikes out looking.

-Michael Petite strikes out swinging.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Rams 5

7th Inning: 

T7

*Pitching change: RHP Zachary Peters (8-1, 1.60 ERA) in to pitch for Holbert*

• VCU’s best reliever: 28 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 25 BB, 85 K, 6 SV in 50.2 IP. 24 app., 0 starts

-Garrett Wright drives a double to left field.

• Huge to keep the momentum going Appenzeller created. Big inning here.
• First pitch of the at-bat

-Blake Grimmer strikes out swinging.

• Was up 3-0. 3-1 pitch may have been a ball but was close.

-Henry Ford pops up to 2B.

-Trent Grindlinger fouls out to 1B.

END OF TOP HALF

B7

-Teige Lethert grounds out to P.

-Jacob Lee strikes out swinging.

-Nick Flores fouls out to 1B.

• 5 up, 5 down for Appenzeller on 23 pitches

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 3, Rams 5

8th Inning: 

T8

-Levi Clark singles to SS.

• Ball ping ponged off the gloves of the short stop and second baseman. One of them should’ve been able to make the play.
• Was hit pretty hard though.

-Reese Chapman singles up the middle. Clark to third.

• Tennessee seeing Peters very well.

-Stone Lawless sends a sac fly to CF.

Chapman advances to second on a passed ball.

-Manny Marin fouls out to RF in deep right. Chapman to third.

-Jay Abernathy grounds out to 1B unassisted.

END OF TOP HALF

B8

-Nate Kirkpatrick flies out to LF.

-Quinn Maher strikes out looking.

-Alec Warden strikes out swinging.

• 8 up, 8 down for Appenzeller. 5 Ks. Excellent relief outing.

END OF BOTTOM HALF

Score: Vols 4, Rams 5

9th Inning: 

T9

-Garrett Wright strikes out looking.

• Wright doesn’t like the 3-2 pitch call. Neither does Elander.
• Potentially inside. Not egregious call though.

-Blake Grimmer is walked.

• Go-ahead run at the plate in Henry Ford.

-Henry Ford strikes out swinging on three pitches.

• 0-5 on the day with 4 Ks.

-Trent Grindlinger flies out to RF.

END OF TOP HALF

Score: Vols 4, Rams 5

END OF GAME

FINAL: Tennessee Vols 4, VCU Rams 5 (Vols eliminated)